Supplementary sound-control means



y 1929.- J. H. HAMMOND, JR

SUPPLEMENTARY SOUND CONTROL MEANS Filed Jan. 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet lg]; lf lai ,v

1&7 2629 I .duuu llll n y 14, 1929- J. H. HAMMOND, JR 1,713,125

I SUPPLEMENTARY SOUND CONTROL MEANS Filed Jan. 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet2.

5 Illlihll.

1 1929' J. H: HAMMOND. JR 1, 3 SUPPLEMENTARY SOUND CQNTROL "BANS 1 FiledJan. 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 14, 1929- J. H. HAMMOND, JR 1,713,125

SUPPLEMENTARY SOUND CONTROL MEANS Filed Jan. 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4til Patented May 14, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, JR, OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

SUPPLEMENTARY SOUND-CONTROL MEANS.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic musical instrumentsof the piano player type.

One of the objects of this invent-ion to provide means in connectionwithan automatic musical instrument for cl'introlling the sound emitted bythis instrument by a supplementary means which is entirely independentof the modulating means of the instrument itself, and which may be controlled by additional holes in the tracker bar, directly by means of apedal, or indirectly by a power controlled means operated by a pedal.

Another object relates to the provision of improved means for producinga tremolo effect from a musical instrument of the percussive type, andwhich may be automatically controlled.

Other objects will appear from the following description taken inconnection w'th the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a frontelevation partly in section of a piano constructed in accordance withthis invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the piano shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged cross sectional views of part of themechanism shown in Figures 1 and 2 taken on line of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on line G6 of Figure 4;

Figures 7 and 7 are diagrammatic layouts of part of the mechanism shownin Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross section of the valve mechanism shown inFigure 2;

Figure 9 is a. top plan view of part of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the modulator 16 taken on line 1010 ofFigure 2;

Like reference characters refer to like parts in. the several figures ofthe drawings.

In the following description and claims, parts will be identified byspecific names for convenience of expression, but they are intended tobe as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Figures 1 to10, one cm bodiment of this invention comprises an automatic musicalinstrument, in this case shown as a grand piano 1 which is provided withtuned strings 2 mounted in frame The strings acted upon to producedamped musical sound when desired, by a piano action el; which may be ofany standard construction and which is operated by a key manual 5. Thepiano also includes a sound proof casing having an upper apertured wall(5, a lower wall 7, and substantially soundproof intermediate boundarywalls 8 each having a layer of sound insulating material 10 as shown inFigure 1. A sounding board 9 is provided adjacent the strings, andserves not only as a reasonating element, but also to divide theinterior of the casing into two separate resonating chambers. Mountedunder the piano 1 is a suction pump 11, driven by means of a belt 12from an electric motor 13. The motor 13 is connected by an electric cord14 to any suitable source of power such the lighting circuit of a house.The pump 11 is connected by means of a pi e 15 to two modulating means16 and 17, which may be of any desired construction. The outlet side ofthe modulating means 16 is connected by a pipe to the bass end of theplayer mechanism 20 which in this case is divided into two separateunits at appro. :i mately the middle of the register. The modulatingmeans 17 is connected by a pipe 21 to the treble end of the playermechanism 21.

Player mechanism 20 and 21 may coinprise any well known form, forexample, that shown in patent to Brand, No. 1,141,607 dated June 1,1915, and in patent to New comer, No. 1,087,176 dated February 17, 1914.

For operating the piano automatically, there is mounted in front of theinstrument a tracker bar A strip of perforated paper 21 registers withthe tracker bar and is moved to bring its perforations over the holes ofthe tracker bar successively by means of a motor mechanism ofconventional type, the speed of which is controlled in any well knownmanner by means of a lever 25.

The tracker bar 23. is provided with three groups of holes, 26, 27 and28; the grou 26 consists of a plurality of holes which control theplaying of the notes in a well known manner, one hole for each note, andwhich need not be more fully described herein. Illustrating types ofpneumatic player mechanism are disclosed in the patents to Bran d andNewcomer above mentioned. The group 27 consists of nine holes 31 to 39,which communicate with nine tubes ll to 49 respective fy, (see Figure2). The tubes ll, 42, el .4- are connected to a Iary 5Q each tube beingin communication with a chamber 51 provided in the primary 50 (seeFigure 7" Over each chamber 51 is a pouch 52 which separates it from asecond chamber The chambers 51 and 53 are connected by a small bleedhole 54. Resting upon the pouch 52 is a valve 55 the stem of whichextends through an opening 56. The opening 56 connects the chamber witha chamber 57. normally open to atmosphere through a vent 58. Each of thechambers 53 communicates with a longitudinal supply duct 60 by means ofbranch ducts 61. The duct 60 is connected by means of a tube 61 with thepipe 15, (see Figure 2). The four chambers 57 communicate with fourducts 62, 63, 64 and 65 respectively.

The primary 50 connects with a stack of pneumatics 66 which is made upof five bellows, 67, 68, 69, 70 and 71 attached to blocks 75 torespectively, the last of which is rigidly secured to the framework ofthe piano, as shown in Figure 1. The four bellows 67, 68, 69 and 70 areso constructed that when they collapse they will move through distanceswhich are respectively proportional to the values 1, 2, 4 and 8approximately. The bellows chamber 71 is of intermediate size,preferably about the size of the bellows 68. The blocks 76 to 79inclusive are provided with ducts 82 to 85 respectively, which areconnected by tubes 92 to 95 to the ducts 62 to 65 respectively.

The block SOis provided with a duct in communication by way of aconnecting tube 101, with a relatively small reservoir 102. Upon the topof the reservoir 102 is mounted a bellows 103 the interior of whichcommunicates with the reservoir 102 by means of an opening 104.Pivotally mounted over the opening 104 is a valve 105 one end of whichis pivoted at 106 and the other end of which is connected by means of alink 107 with the top of the bellows 108. Provided in the top 108 is anopening 110 over which is slidably secured a plate 111, which can be soadjusted that the opening 110 can be made of any desired size. A spring112 is mounted in the bellows 103 and tends to keep it in an openposition.

Mounted on the end of the reservoir 102 is a primary valve 115, whichconsists of a chamber 116 which communicates with the reservoir 102 bymeans of a tube 117. Mounted in the chamber 116 is a. valve 118. Thechamber 116 is provided with an atmospheric port 119 and with a circularport 120 which communicates with a chamber 121. This chamber is providedwith a pouch 122 which covers a second chamber 123. The chamber 121 isconnected by means of a duct 123' to a pipe 113 which is connected tothe duct 60 of the primaries 50. A small bleed hold 114 connects thechambers 121 and 123. The chamber 123 is connected to the tube 45leading from the tracker bur.

Secured to the block 75 of the pneumatic stack 66 is a rod 124 pivotallyconnected to an arm 125. The arm 125 is integral with a collar 126loosely mounted upon a sleeve 127. Also loosely mounted upon this sleeveare three additional collars 128, 129 and 131, (see Figures 3, 4 and Thecollars 126, 1.28, 129 and 131 are j)rovidcd with aligned key-ways 132.as shown at 133 in Figure 6, and has rigidly secured to it at its lowerend, a collar 134 which is also provided with a key-way similar to thekey-ways 132 of the collars already described. The upper end of thesleeve 127 is rigidly connected as by a pin 140, to the bell-shaped endo'l a shaft 135 which is provided with a key-way 136 and which isrotatably mounted in the i'ramework of the piano and is provided with acollar 137 (see Figure 1) to hold it in a fixed longitudinal position.

Slidably mounted inside the sleeve 127 are two' hollow cylindricalmembers 138 and 139, each of which is provided with a key 141 and 142respectively which slide in the key- 'ays 132. The bores of thememl'iers 138 and 139 are in alignment and there or;- tends therethrougha rod 143 to which are pinned two collars 1.44 and 145 for maintainingthe members 138 and 139 on the rod. To the lower end of the rod 143 issecured a flanged sleeve 146 having a groove 147 between its flanges.Loosely engaging the groove 147 are two pins 150 which are carried onthe forked ends ol a bifurcated member 151 secured at its other end to ashaft 152. The shaft 152 journallcd in a recess in the leg of the piano153 as shown in Figure 2, for rotation in a horizontal plane. The end ofthe shaft 152 extends through to the front of the leg on which it ismounted, and there is secured thereto a handle 154 provided with apointer 155 which cooperates with a dial 156 secured to the leg 153.

Mounted on the rear face oi the leg 153 is a bracket 157 provided with athreaded hole through which is screwed a thumb screw 158 having attachedthereto one end oi? a spring 155), the other end 01' which is connectedto the arm 125.

Integral with the sleeve 131, (see Figures 3, 4 and 5) is an arm 161(see Figures 1 and 2) to the end of which is pivoted a rod 162 the otherend of which is cormected to one arm of a bell crank 162-) which isn'iounted for rotation on a. bracket 164, :arricd by a lyre 165. Theother arm of the bell crank 163 engages a rod 166, the lower end ofwhich is connected to a pedal 167 mounted in a pedal block 168. Alsomounted in this block are two other pedals 1'71 and 172 which areconnected to two rods 173 and 174 respectively, controlling the usualsostenuto and loud pedal action of the piano.

The sleeve 127 is cut away The pedal block 168 is supported by the lyre165 and is secured to a block 170 carried by the framework of the piano.

To the rod 162 is secured one end of a spring 175, the other end ofwhich is tastehed to a bracket 177.

Integral with the sleeve 129 (see Figures 3, 1 and 5) is an arm 180 tothe end of which is pivoted a link 181 (see Figure 2). The other end isconnected to a primary valve member 182 slidably mounted in a valvecasing 183 (see Figure 8). This casing is provided with a port 18 1communicating by means of a pipe 185 with the supply pipe so that it iscontinually under suction. A secondary valve 186 slides in the valvecasing 183. The primary valve 182 is provided with an opening 187 incommunica tion with the port 184. It is also provided with twolongitudinal grooves 188 and 189 open to atmosphere.

The secondary valve 186 is provided with two openings 191 and 192normally in registry with two ports 193 and 19st respec tively. Theseports communicate with two tubes 195 and 196 which in turn communicatewith two bellows 197 and 198 rcspcctively mounted on a. brac et- 199.The bellows consist of two stationary bases 200 and 201 which arerigidly secured to the bracket 199 (see Figure 1') and a movable member202 which may be moved either in one direction or the other, dependingupon which bellows is deflated. The outer end of the member 202 ispivoted to a link 203 which in turn is pivoted to the end of an armwhich is integral with the sleeve 128. Pivoted to an intermediateportion oi the arm 1 209 which is connected to a bar 211 to which ispivoted a plurality of arms 212 each or which is rigidly secured to amodulating reflector 213. An arm 218 is provided which is integral withthe shaft and to the outer end of which is pivotally connected. a link220. The other end of the link 220 is iivotaily connected to one arm ofa bell crank lever 221 pivoted as to the lower face of the piano casing1 (see Figure 2). The other arm of the bell crank lever is connected toa link 223 and thus to a bar 224- to which is pivoted a plurality ofarms such 225 corresponding to the arms 212 of the upper group ofmodulating reflectors. Each of the arms 225 is rigidly secured to areflector 226 of the lower group. Each reflector such as 213, 226 ispivotaliy mounted to rotate about substantially its longitudinal axis,and is provided on its inner surface with a layer of sound reflectingmaterial, such as sheet aluminum or other sheet metal 215.

The modulating means 16 as shown in Figure 10 includes a primary valveblock 230, an accordion bellows 231 and a regulator bellows The primaryvalve block 230 comprises four primary valve mechanisms each oi? whichconsists of a valve 233 located in a chamber 231 which communicates withthe interior of the modulator by means of a duct The stem of the valve233 passes through an aperture 230 and rests upon a flexible leatherpouch 237 which is loca'tul between two chambers 23S and 2 9. These twochambers are in communication with each other by means of a small bleedhole 211. The upper chamber 238 communicates by means of a duct 24-2with a longitudinal suction sup iily duct 213. The lower chamher 239 ofeach valve conununicatc-s by means of a duct 211 with the correspomlingtube sit 17 -8 or l9, leading from correspomling holes in the trackerbar 23.

The accordion pueumat-ics 231 comprise tour bellows 24:. 2&0, 2i? and2l8 which attached to blocks 251 to 255 respec- -ivcly. The block 251 isrigidly secured to he base of the modulator 16. The "tour bolows to 218are so constructed tl it when hey collapse they will move through distanccs wl'iich are respectively proportional to the values 8, l 2 and 1approximately. The blocks 251 to (1- are provided with duct 250 to 259which are connected by tubes 201 to 204. to ducts 265 which conummica'lewith the chambers 234; of the primary vaive mechanisms respectively.

The regulator bellows 232 consists of a box 2. 0 in which is mounted ablock 271 through which passes a duct 272 which com.- municatcs with thepipe 15. The inner end oi the duct 2T2 opens to the interior of the box270 througl a port Located. adjacent to the port is a knife valve 27stone end of which is pivoted to an arm 2T5 ri dly secured to a shalt 2T6.Secured to this rotatable shatt 270 is a second arm 27? to the outer endof which is pivoted one end oi a link 278. The other end of the link ispivoted to a rocking lever 280 pivotallv mounted at an intermediateportion as at 281 upon a lined bl'tltliQt 282. The other cud ol thelever 280 is pivoted to a bracket 283 which is secured to the block2'35. The lever 280 is provided with an ear to which is secured one endof a spring the other end of which is secured to a iixed bracket 286.

The other end of the knife valve 271- is pivoted to one end of a link290 the other end of which is pivoted to the top 291 of the regulatorbellows 232. The interior of this bellows is in con'n'nunication withthe inte rior ot' the box 270. Secured to the outer end of the top 291is a bracket 292 to which is secured one end of a spring 293 the otherend of which. is connected to a bracket 2% affixed to the casing of themodulator 1G. The tube 243 communicates with the interior of the duct272 and the pipe 20 commi'iniates with the interior of the box 2'70.

In the operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 10,the group of holes 26 control the playing ot the notes when they areuncovered by perforations in the paper strip Ql. The four holes 36 to2:31) control the operation oil" the modulating means 16 in a manner tobe more fully described.

If none of the holes 36 to 39 are uncovered, the modulating means willbe in the position shown in Figure 10 and the suction in the pipe 20will be determined by the tension of the spring 293 when the valve 274;just closes the port 273, thus it the suction in the pipe 20 drops itwill also drop in the box 270 and the bellows 232, thereby allowing thespring 293 to raise the top of the bellows 291. This, by means of thelink 290 raises the left hand end of the valve 274 increasing theopening of the port 27?) thereby allowing more air to be sucked out ofthe box 270 which will reduce the pressure therein until the bellows 232has collapsed sulliciently tor the valve 274: to close the port 27 Inthis manner the suction in the box 270 will be held at a predeterminedamount depending upon the position ot the right hand end of the valve 27t and the tension of the spring 293.

If it is desired to increase the suction in the pipe 20, a perforationis n'ovided in the paper strip 24 which registers with the hole 36, thusallowing air to enter the pipe 46 and pass through the duct 2&4 into thechamber 239, thus inflating the pouch 237.

The valve 233 thus closes the atmospheric duct 235 and connects the duct265 with the chamber 238 by means of the passage 2256. As the chamber238 is constantly under suc tion being connected with a suction supplypipe 2l3 by means of the duct 2-42, air will be sucked out of thebellows 24.8, thereby collapsing this bellows which will cause thebracket 283 to be moved downwardly a distance proportional to thevalue 1. T his causes the lever 280 to be rotated through a relativelysmall arc in aclockwise direction thereby rotating the arms 277 and 275to a corresponding degree in a like direction. This lifts the right handend of the valve 2741 lVhen this is lifted, it will be seen that inorder to close the port 273 the left hand end 01'' the valve 274 willhave to be lowered more than previously which necessitates the loweringof the top 291 a proportional amount. This causes the spring 2923 to beexpanded, thus increz'ising the force tending to open the bellows. Thismeans that a greater degree of suction will be necessary in the box 270and the bellows 232 in order to close the port 273. This will maintain ahigher suction in the pipe 20 which operates the striking pneumatics,thus causing the notes to be struck with a slightly greater inten 'tythan was previously maintained.

If it is desired to further increase the intensity of the suction in thepipe 20, a pm-loration is cut in the paper strip 24; to register withthe hole 37, thus admitting air to the tube 47 which by means of thecorrespomling primary valve, collapses the bellows J-ti' in all'lttllllCl. similar to that described in connection with bellows 248.This causes-i a 'lurther rotation of the lever 2so in a clockwisedirection which in turn causes the right end of the valve 271 to bestill further lifted. This, in a manner similar to that alreadydescribed, will cause an incrcrsed suction to be maintained. in the box270 and therefore in the pipe 20 which in turn causes the strikingpnoumatics to delivcr a stronger blow.

As already stated, the bellows 245 to 248 when they collapse, movethrough distances proportional to the values 8, 4, 2 and 1 respectively.It is thereft'ire, e *ident that by positioning the perforations in thepaper strip 2stany one or any combination 0t these bellows, may bedeflated, thereby moving the right hand end of the valve 27 lin any oneoif a plurality of positions. Thus, for example, it" bellows QlS isdeflated the valve 274 will be moved through a distance proportional tothe value 1. It the bellows 247 is also dcllatcd, it will. be movedthrough an additional amount n'o1 )ortional to the value 2, thus makingthe total motion proportional to the value 3. In this way, any one offifteen posit ions may l e obtained by collapsing the proper bellows orcombination of bel lows. 1n this way it is seen that by cutting theproper perl'orations in the paper strip Qt, any desired lorce ot thestriking pneumatics may be obtained within the limits ol the mechanism.

The corresponding holes in the group 28 control the modulating means 1'?in a similar manner so as to vary the suction in the pipe 2]. In thisway the liiircc with which the notes are struck may be varied at will bysuitably positioning the holes in the paper strip 2st.

ll" it is desired to still further modulate the sound produced by thepiano the foot pedal 16'? may be depressed, thereby elevating the rod166 which rotates the bell crank 163 in a counter clockwise direction,thus moving the link 162 to the left which in turn rotates the arm 161.in a counter c ockwise direulon as seen in Figure 2.

This arm being integral with a collar 131 causes the same to be rotatedin a similar direction which by means of the key 141 rotates the shaft135, thus rotating the arm 207 in-a clockwise direction as seen inFigure 9. This causes the link 209 to be moved to the right which inturn moves the bar 211 to the right thereby closing the reflectors 213.Rotation of the shaft 135 also moves the arm 218, link 220, bell cranklever 221, and moves thebar 224 to the right (Figure 2) thereby closingthe lower group of re flectors 226. Thus, by moving the pedal 167 thereflectors 213 and 226 may be controlled at will by the foot power ofthe pianist.

If the pianist finds it diflicult to operate' the reflectors by footpower he can turn the handle 154 in a clockwise direction so that thepointer 155 points to the second position on the dial 156. This causesthe member 151 to be rotated in a clockwise direction from the positionshown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4, thus moving the twocylindrical members 138 and 139 to the positions shown in this figure.This causes the key 141 to engage the keyway in the collars 131 and 129,thus locking these collars together. The key 142 then engages thekey-way in the sleeves 128 and 134, thus locking these two together. Asthe collar 134 is rigid with the sleeve 127 which is pinned to the shaft135, it controls the motion of this shaft. lVhen the foot pedal isdepressed it rotates the sleeve 131 as already, described, which in turnrotates the collar 129 which being integral with thearm 180, causes itto be rotated in a counter clockwise direction as seen in Figure 2.This, by means of the link 181 causes the primary valve member- 182 tobe moved upwardly as seen in Figure 8, thus connecting the port 191 withthe port 184 by means of tne opening 187. This connects the bellows 197through the pipe 195 to the suction, thereby collapsing this bellows,which, by means of the link 203 rotates the arm 204 in a counterclockwise direction an amount sutficient to move the secondary valve 186by means of the link 205 into a position so that the partition betweenthe openings 191 and 192 covers the opening 187, thus shutting olf thesuction from the bellows 197. \Vhen the arm 204 is rotated, it alsorotates the collar 128 which by means of the key 142 rotates the collar134 which by means of the sleeve 127 rotates the shaft 135 in aclockwise direction as seen in Figure 9, which as previously described,rotates the reflectors 213 and 226.

It is therefore evident that the pedal 167 thus controls the reflectors213 and 226 by means of the power mechanism so that the pianist needonly exert suflicient force on the pedal to operate the primary valve,and only avery slight force is required for this purpose.

If it is desired to control the reflectors by the paper roll, the handle154 is rotated an additional amount in a clockwise direction until. thepointer points to the third graduation on the dial 156. This causes themember 151 to be rotated in a clockwise di rection from thepositionshown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 5. This causes the key141 to slide into engagement with the key-way in the collar 126, thuslocking the collar 126 with the collar 129 and the key 142 slides downin the key-way of the collar 13-1- and locks the collars 128 and 13 4together.

If it is desired to have the reflectors close a small amount, a hole iscut in the paper 24 in such position as to register with the hole 31thus letting air into the tube 41 which passes to the chamber 51inflating the pouch 52 and raising the 'alve 55, thus closing theatmospheric port 58 and connecting the duct 62 with the chamber 53. Thiscauses air to be sucked out of the bellows 67 by means of the duct 82and the tube 92 thus collapsing this bellows and causing the rod 124 tobe moved a relatively small amount to the right (as seen in Figure Thearm 125 is thus rotated a small amount in a counter clockwise directionand as this arm is integral with the collar 126 it rotates this col larand by means of the key 141 also rotates the collar 129. This in turnrotates the arm 180, through an angle equal to that through which thearm 125 was rotated. By means of the link 181, the primary valve 1 2 ismoved a slight amount in an upward direc tion as seen in Figure 2. This,as previously described controls the supply of suction to the bellows197 and 198 and also causes the arm 204 to be moved through the sameangle and in the same direction as the arm 125. This arm, previouslydescribed, causes the shaft 135 and the arm 207 to be moved through anequal angle, thus moving the link 209 and the bar 211 a small amount tothe right which will cause the reflectors 213 to be rotated through asmall angle. At the same time, the link 220 is moved, the bell cranklever 221 rotated and the reflectors 226 of the lower group rotatedthrough a small angle.

If it is desired to close the reflectors still more a hole may be cut inthe paper 24 in position to register with *a hole 32 in the tracker bar23. This admits air to the tube 42, operating the corresponding valve inthe primary 50 and deflating the bellows 68 in a manner similar to thatjust described. This causes the rod 124 to be moved to the right anadditional amount and in a manner similar to that just described causesthe reflectors 213 and 226 to be closed a propor tional amount. If holesin the paper 24 come opposite the holes 33 and 34, air will be admittedto the tubes 43 and 4-1- to deflate the bellows 69 and 70, thus closingthe reflectors 2 3 and 226 the full amount. In this way it will be seenthat the reflectors 213 and 226 are closed an amount which isproportional to the distance through which the stack of pneumatics 66have been moved. This in turn depends upon the bellows or combination ofbellows which are deflated. As each of these bellows when deflated,moves through different distances which are proportional to the integers1, 2, 4 and 8, it is seen that by deflating any one or any com binationof these, it is possible to produce any one of fifteen steps. Thus, forexample, if the bellows 67 is deflated, the first step is produced; it68 is deflated, the second step is produced; 67 and 68 produce the thirdstep and so on through the fifteen possible steps.

If it is desired to produce a tremolo effect, a hole is cut in the paper24 so as to register with the hole 35 in the tracker bar 2 3, thusallowing air to enter the. tube 45, which will inflate the pouch 122,thus lifting the valve 118. This closes the atmospheric port 119 andconnects the reservoir 102 with the suction by means of the duct 117,chamber 116 and port 120. A suction is thus produced in the reservoir102 which is in communication with the interior of the bellows 103 bymeans of the opening 104, thus causing this bellows to be deflated.After this bellows is deflated, a certain predetermined amount,depending upon the length of the link 107, the valve 105 closes theopening 104, thereby shutting off the suction from the bellows 103. Airfrom the atmosphere enters through the opening 110 and the bellows 103is inflated under the action of the spring 112. This causes the valve105 to be opened, thus causing the bellows to be deflated again,resulting in a periodic inflation and deflation of this bellows, whichcauses an alternation of the intensity of the suction in the reservoir102. This varying suction is transmitted through the tube 101 to theinterior of the bellows 71 and the bellows 71 opened and collapsedintermittently at the same rate of operation as the bellows 103. Thiscauses the entire stack of pneumatics 66 to be vibrated at thispredetermined rate, which in turn vibrates the arm 125 about whateverposition it may be in, depending upon which one or combina tion of thebellows is collapsed. This, in a manner similar to that previouslydescribed, causes the reflectors 213 and 226 to vibrate about whateverposition they may be in. It is thus seen that a tremolo effect isproduced by the reflectors 213 and 226 in whatever position these may bein, thus giving a tremolo effect to the music produced by the piano.

The speed with which this tremolo is produced can be varied as may bedesired by varying the length of link 107 and by changing the positionof the slide 111 so as to change the effective opening of the port 110.

The invention upon which this application is based is broader than thespecific embodiment shown and described for the purpose of illustratingat least one of the ways in which it may be employed. The scope of theinvention is therefore to be understood as not being limited by thepresent specific description. I intend no limitations other than thoseimposed by the claims.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. A modulating system for a pianoforte comprising the combination witha casing of reflectors movably mounted in the casing for variablycontrolling musical sound emitted therefrom, power means for operatingthe reflectors adapted to also operate automatic means for playing theinstrument, a power control device interposed between the power meansand the reflector and operating means for controlling said reflectorsindependently.

2. A musical instrument including a plurality of strings forming a soundsource, a plurality of percussion actions for causing vibrations of saidstrings, a casing surrounding said strings having apertures, reflectingdevices rotatably positioned in said apertures for controlling the soundemitted therethrough, a source of power adapted to operate automaticplaying devices, means operatively interconnecting the power sources andthe reflecting devices, and means for variably controlling said lastnamed interconnecting means independently.

3. A musical instrument including a plurality of strings forming a soundsource, a sounding board adjacent said strings, a sub stantially soundproof casing around said board and said strings forming two enclosedresonating chambers, a plurality of reflecting devices for each of saidresonating chambers for controlling the sound emitted therefrom, apneumatically operated bellows for operating said reflectors, a)neumatie pump adapted. to supply power for mechanically operating saidstrings in conjunction with a modulating device and a control deviceinterposed between the pump and said reflector actuating bellows forcontrolling the operation of the reflectors imlependently.

4. In a musical instrument a plurality of strings forming a soundsource, a plurality of hammers for causing vibration of said strings, asound insulated easing surround ing said strings and having apertures, aplurality of centrally pivoted metal lined reflecting devices rotatablymounted in said apertures for controlling the sound admittedtherethrough, a source of power means -for variably controlling theoperating oi said reflecting device, means interposed between said powersource and said reflectors,

moving means for variably controlling the operation of the reflectordevice inleiendently.

5, In a stringed. musical instrument, a plurality of strings tuned tothe notes of the musical scale, a sounding board aoiacent said strings,substantially sound proof casing surroumline' said board and saidstrings and forming two resonating chambers, a source oi power adaptedto pneumatical y operate means for vibrating the strings to producemusic automatically, a modulating; device adapted to vary the intensitysound produced by the strings, a plurality of reflectors for each ofsaid resonat'ag chambers for controlling the sound emitted therefrom, apneumatically operated bellows for selectively rotating said reflectorsin either direction, and means tor controlling the ll'lOVGlIlGlll) ofthe reflectors independently 01? said string vibrating means.

6. in a musicalinstrument ot the percussive type, the combination with acasing, of reflectors movably mounted in the casing tor variablycontrolling musical sound emitted therefrom, pneun'iatic means adaptedfor playing;- the instrument automatically, pneumatic means foroperating the reflectors, a pump for operating both of said pneumaticmeans, and a control device for controlling the operation of saidreflectors independently ot the automatic playing means.

7. In a musical instrument of the percussive type, a plurality ofstrings forming a sound source, a plurality of percussive actions forcausing production of sound, a casing surrounding said strings andhaving; apertures, a plurality of reflectors movably positioned in saida )erturcs for controlling the sound emitted therethrough, power meanstor controlling said reflectors adapted to operate automatic playingdevices for actuating the percussive actions to produce musicautomatinlly, and means tor variably controlling the movement of the reflectors independently.

8. In a stringed musical instrument, plurality of strings tuned to thenotes of the musical scale, sounding board adjacent said strings, asubstantially sound-proof casing surrounding said board and said stringsand forming two enclosed resonating chambers, a plurality ol rotatablereflecting devices for each of said resonating chambers torcontrollingthe sound emitted tl'ieretrom, a pneumatically operated bllows lor rotating said reflectors, pneumatic means adapted forsettingthe strings into vibration, a pneumatic pump, a modulating deviceconnected with said pump for controlling the power used inviln'atingzsaid strings, and a control device interposed between thepump and said. reflector rotating bellows tor controlling the operationof the reflectors llllQ ependently of said modulating device.

9. In a musical instrument, a sound source, a sound insulated casing;-surrounding said. source and having apertures, a plurality of centrallypivoted metal lined refl ctors roatably positioned in said apertures torcon-- rolling the sound emitted ll0l'9l'ill()lll'li, a )neumatic meansadapted tor actuating the sound source, a. source of power, means torvaria ly controlling the operation ot said pneumatic means, meansactuated by said source of power for moving said reflectors, and meansinterposed between said power source and said reflector moving means tor'ariably controlling the operation of the reflcctingdevicesimlependcntly of said pneumatic means control.

10. In, a. musical stringed instrument. a plurality of strings tuned tothe notes oi the musical scale, pneumatic means adapted tor vibratingthe strings to produce music automatically, a source of power lioractuating said means, a modulating device interposed between said powersource and said means for vary' 1;; the intensity of sound produced bythe strings, a plurality of reflectors for controlling sound, apneumatically operated bellows for selectively rotating said rcllcctorsin either direction, a pneumatic pump ttor actuating said means andsaidtwo-way bellows, and in \ans operated by s: id pump for controllingthe movement of the reflectors independently o't said pneumatic means.

11. A modulating system for a pianoiortc comprising suction means forcontrolling the initial. volume of sound produced by the strings,pressure means for controlling the volume of sound emitted from theinstrument and a single source of pressure ditlercnce tor operating saidsuction means and said. pressure means.

12. lo a. musical instrument of the percussive type, the combinationwith a plurality of resonating chambers of means positioned therein forproducing compressional waves, pneumatically operated means forcontrolling the initial. volume of said waves and pnemnatically operatedmeans for controllingthe emission of the waves from the chamber toproduce musical sound.

13. In a musical instrument of the percussive type, a source ot poweradapted to automatically operate the instrument, a modulating deviceassociated with the source oi? power for controlling the volume of thecoun pressional waves generated and means operable by said source ofpower for controlling the emission of compressional waves from saidinstrument.

let. In an automatic reproducing piano. a casing having a plurality Oilvariable clo sures, power means for operating said piano, a foot pedal,and means whereby said power means may be caused "to automaticallydirectly operate said closures, or said pedal may be caused to directlyoperate said closures, or said pedal may be caused to control said powermeans for operating said closures.

15. In an automatic reproducing piano, a

casing having variable closures, power means 5 for operating said piano,a foot pedal and a three-way coupling mechanism whereby said closuresmay be operated either automatically by said power means, directly bysaid JOHN HAYS HAMMOND, J 1:.

